Sting goes back to bass

Unlike many of his fans, for whom songs like Message In A Bottle and Every Little Thing are memories as much as they are songs, Sting doesn’t really like to look back and get nostalgic. That’s despite 25 years in music — but then again, he’s always been pushing things forward. But not to worry if you’re going to see him in Abu Dhabi on Thursday: for his latest tour, he’s proud to let his finest moments shine.

“I think the show is a good mix of music from throughout my career. It’s completely different than anything I had done in a long time,” the singer-bassist tells tabloid!. “With a band, you’re able to be spontaneous — change a key, change a chorus. On the previous tour, where I was performing with symphony orchestras, I really had to concentrate and stick to the score. For this tour, I wanted to get back to the basics — hence, Back To Bass,” the name of the tour, which after the UAE, takes him across the US and Europe this summer.

So expect his hits, with a real-time twist, thanks to the close-knit band of musicians he’s bringing along, including his longtime guitarist, Dominic Miller. “Dominic has been a musical collaborator and a confidant for more than twenty years. Admittedly, he’s like my right and my left hand,” says Sting. Also in the line-up are Vinnie Colaiuta (drums), David Sancious (keyboards) Peter Tickell (electric fiddle) and Jo Lawry (vocals). “I’ve really enjoyed playing with the musicians on this tour, and we’ve been having a lot of fun. My strategy has always been to play with musicians better than myself, constantly attempting to raise the bar. I tend to surround myself with people whom I can learn something from.”

Sting on... nostalgia

It’s three years since you last performed in the UAE (March 4, 2010 at Meydan, Dubai). In that time period, what are you most proud of having achieved? What have been the highlights and the low points?

“I’ve been very fortunate to enjoy a lot of success in my life. I do think I have a perspective on it that I am lucky and it’s ultimately not that serious. I don’t take life all that seriously, and I have no regrets. I tend to live in the moment and don’t really think too much about the future or necessarily about the past.”

Sting on... the bass.

Lots of kids dream of picking up a guitar and being Hendrix. Tell them why they should try the bass instead? Or indeed, the lute (Sting released an album of mediaeval lute music, Songs From the Labyrinth, in 2006)?

“I actually started out playing guitar when I was around 10 years old. When I took up the bass, I thought I could create a unique little niche for myself — playing bass and singing. I’ve always had a near insatiable desire to learn, and naturally, that has led to exploring other instruments.”

Sting on... 25 years in music

How did you feel while putting together the 25 Years box set and The Best Of 25 Years double-disc? Was it an enjoyable experience, or were there moments you found hard?

“I’m not a particularly nostalgic person, so initially, it was quite challenging for me to really look back when my instinct has always been to move forward. But I did feel it was worth taking some time to reflect on what I had achieved over the past 25 years. We remastered everything and remixed a lot of the songs that were included in the 25 Years box set. I found things I hadn’t heard before or otherwise had completely forgotten about. It felt like I was excavating these pieces of history. That was an exciting kind of archaeology in a way, trying to make these songs sound fresh and modern.”

Sting on... the future

What would you like to see in the next 25 years?

“I’m not sure what comes next, but I never want to stop learning. I maintain a childlike curiosity about music, and working is what makes me happy.”

Sting on... the Sting 25 iPad app.

How did the app for iPad come about, and how much involvement did you have with the content?

“We’re always looking for new methods of delivering music to an audience. While we were putting together the box set, there was a wealth of material that simply didn’t fit. The app was a natural solution. It can be constantly updated, so it’s not a static thing. I think it’s very innovative, but at the same time, it reminds me of the days where you’d purchase an album, pour over the photos and liner notes, and really get a sense of how the album was made. That’s missing in the digital age.”

Sting on... time off

What do you usually do to relax?

“There aren’t many days when I do nothing, but that would be a talent I’d like to develop. I do enjoy going on long walks and riding my bike, and I practice everyday.”

Sting on... charity

You’re involved with the One World Futbol project, which distributes footballs to disadvantaged children. Why are you connected to this foundation in particular?

“Tim Jahnigen, the inventor of the One World Futbol, came to me with his idea for a football that could be played on any surface and would never need a pump or go flat. It’s a simple idea, but one that is incredibly powerful. I thought of all the young people who could use the ball in refugee camps, conflict zones, and communities all over the world, and immediately wanted to be a part of the project.”